Interim sales director and interim VP Sales
When a sales leader leaves, the number does not wait for the search. I step in at short notice to hold the forecast, steady the team and keep the customers who matter, then hand over to the permanent hire.
An interim sales director takes over the sales function for a defined period, usually between one permanent leader and the next. I run it as a fixed-fee engagement of two or three days a week: the forecast rebuilt from evidence in the first fortnight, the operating rhythm in place by day 45, and a handover pack ready for whoever the board appoints.
When does a company need an interim sales director?
- A CRO or VP Sales has resigned or been asked to leave, and the permanent hire is months away.
- The quarter is at risk and the board needs one named person who owns the number this week.
- An investor wants the team steadied before deciding what kind of leader to recruit.
- An executive search firm's client needs cover while the search runs.
What does the permanent leader inherit?
- A forecast rebuilt from evidence, deal by deal.
- A weekly operating rhythm: forecast call, pipeline review and deal reviews.
- Board reporting that shows the board what the sales team sees.
- A hiring brief for the permanent role and a written handover.
What happens in the first two weeks?
One person with authority to make deal decisions this week, so uncertainty does not cost deals.
The largest deals reviewed one at a time with the sellers, rebuilt from evidence rather than inherited opinion.
The top customers and the buyers in the biggest open deals hear about the change with a name and a plan.
The plan set out plainly to the whole team on day one. People can handle bad news; they cannot handle silence.
Decide what kind of leader the company needs before the search specification is written.
After the first fortnight the engagement follows the fractional sales leadership plan: operating rhythm by day 45, a formal review at day 45, and either continuation or a clean handover at day 90. The full reasoning is in The first two weeks after a sales leader leaves.
Every engagement has a fixed scope and a fixed fee, agreed in a short written proposal before work starts. Ongoing work is paid monthly in advance. There is no hourly billing, and no work on commission or for equity alone.
Most recently: interim VP Sales across a four-team, 20-seat region, finishing at 120% of in-seat quota.
Frequently asked questions.
How quickly can you start?
At short notice. The first conversation is about what has happened and what is at risk this quarter. A short written proposal follows, and the work begins as soon as it is signed.
What is the difference between interim and fractional?
Interim cover fills a vacant seat for a defined period; fractional leadership is part of each week over several months. In practice I deliver both the same way, as fractional sales leadership at two or three days a week, because most interim needs are about leadership, rhythm and decisions rather than hours at a desk.
Do you work with executive search firms?
Yes. Interim cover while a search runs is a common reason to call. The board gets a steady team and an honest view of the role before the shortlist.
What does the permanent leader inherit?
A forecast built from evidence, a weekly operating rhythm, board reporting that matches what the sales team sees, and a written handover.
How is it priced?
A fixed monthly fee, paid in advance, agreed in a short written proposal. There is no hourly billing and no work on commission or for equity alone.
Would it help to talk it through?
Thirty minutes on what has happened and what is at risk this quarter. If interim cover is not the right answer, I will say so.
Or email priority@jonnyrocket.com, or connect on LinkedIn